Penguin Poop Might Help Fight Climate Change By Creating Cooling Clouds, Scientists Say

Penguin Poop Might Help Fight Climate Change By Creating Cooling Clouds, Scientists Say

How penguin poop may be silently fighting climate change might surprise you. A new study suggests that ammonia from penguin guano could actually “cool” the Earth.

“They have a synergistic role for the formation of particles in the atmosphere,” said Matthew Boyer, lead author and researcher at the University of Helsinki.

When that ammonia mixes with sulfur gases from phytoplankton, it sparks aerosol production—tiny particles that help form clouds. And more clouds mean cooler temps and more stable sea ice.

Researchers observed a penguin colony at Marambio Base in early 2023 and found ammonia levels shot up to 1,000 times above normal when wind blew from the penguins’ direction. Even after the birds migrated, their poop kept releasing ammonia.

The findings highlight “a deep connection between ecosystem processes… and atmospheric processes,” Boyer said. Protecting species like penguins may be crucial—not just for biodiversity, but for the planet’s future.

Did you know about this new finding?

VIA: ABC News